Canada’s Largest Forensic Engineering and Fire Investigation Firm
Origin and Cause is the trusted leader in Ontario providing cross-disciplinary forensic expertise. Over 25 years we have been engaged by insurance companies, law firms, independent adjusters, manufacturers and corporate risk managers, completing more than 30,000 cases. Choose us and get the benefit of working with highly trained, extremely skilled professionals with years of hands-on experience.
Our reputation is built on our integrity and commitment to the facts. Every investigation is led by a forensic expert with an average of 25 years’ experience. We guarantee unbiased opinions based on factual evidence determined through scientific methodology, examination and laboratory testing.
Origin and Cause has offices in Toronto, Mississauga, Orilla, Ottawa, Kingston, London, Ancaster, Windsor and Sudbury, from where we serve the entire province of Ontario.
Our Forensic Experts
A cross-disciplinary forensic engineering team provides services across Ontario and Canada. Our forensic engineers and fire investigators have completed over 30,000 cases, helping clients discover the truth by determining the facts.
Meet Chris K. Panasiewicz
Consulting Forensic Engineer
Designation: M.Sc., P.Eng., CFEI
Specializing in fire and explosions investigations and electrical engineering, Chris is qualified as an expert witness in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and has investigated over 1000 forensic incidents to date. In addition to over 10 years of fire and explosions experience, Chris has over 20 years’ experience working as an electrical engineer in the field of high and low voltage motors, generators, transformers and electrical equipment failure mode investigations and analysis, including electrical components design, repair and testing methods.
Meet Michelle Holden Bradley
Forensic Engineer
Designation: P.Eng. CFEI, CVFI
Michelle specializes in vehicle fire investigation, failure analysis, product liability, residential and commercial appliances, equipment malfunctions in sprinkler systems, and heating and refrigeration equipment. She also has experience investigating vehicle fires including transport trucks, forestry and farm equipment. Prior to entering the field of forensic engineering, Michelle performed mechanical engineering tests and evaluations for Ford Canada and was an equipment engineer for Samsung Austin Semiconductor.
Meet Eduardo Mari
Forensic Engineer
Designation: M.Sc., P.Eng
Eduardo is a professional materials and metallurgical engineer with a Master’s Degree in Materials Science and Engineering from the State University of New York and over 15 years of experience in failure analysis, oil and gas industry and forensic engineering. He has led over 800 forensic and failure investigations. Eduardo has held leadership positions in technical groups for the materials engineering community as well as with the Canadian Standards Association where he is currently a member in one of the technical committees. He is currently a member of the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO), ASM International, National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) and the National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP).
Meet Nabi Goudarzi
Forensic Structural Engineer
Designation: Ph.D., P.Eng.
Nabi specializes in the forensic structural investigation of buildings and the design of retrofitting schemes for damaged or under-designed structures. In the course of his career, Nabi has conducted structural assessments of existing steel, concrete, masonry and wood buildings under gravity loading, vibration and seismic forces. He has also designed steel and concrete structures, including high-rise residential and office towers, commercial retail units, and long-span steel trusses. Nabi holds a MSc. in Earthquake Engineering from Sharif University of Technology and a Ph.D. in Structural Engineering from the University of Alberta.
Meet Vladimir Chlistovsky
Forensic Engineer and Branch Manager
Designation: B.A.Sc., CFEI, CVFI, P. Eng.
With more than 25 years of professional experience, Vladimir’s career has encompassed a number of industries and roles: Insurance appraiser of commercial and industrial machinery, equipment and buildings; quality, production and design engineer; and forensic engineer. Vladimir has completed over 600 forensic cases, investigating fires and explosions, product failures, and other types of losses. Vladimir graduated with an Industrial Engineering degree from the University of Toronto. He is an Internationally Certified Fire and Explosions Investigator, and serves as a board member and National President of the Canadian Association of Fire Investigators (CAFI). Vladimir also assists the Standard Council of Canada (SCC) as a designated expert in their Certifying Body (CB) and Laboratory Accreditation programs.
Responding With Urgency
Time is of the essence in any investigation, and our investigators respond rapidly to incidents, ensuring quick site attendance, and fast and frequent updates to clients. Coupled to that, meticulous field and lab work make all the difference to insurance claims and legal outcomes.
Our Services
Origin and Cause provides services across all major forensic investigation and engineering disciplines. We are also leaders in forensic litigation, with involvement in over 1,500 legal cases across Canada, throughout the United States and around the world.
A Reputation Built on Facts
Origin and Cause has built a reputation on our integrity and commitment to the facts. Our qualified experts are trusted to determine the facts of a case and provide accurate, evidence-based opinions. We guarantee unbiased opinions based on factual evidence determined through scientific methodology, examination and laboratory testing.
Leadership Team
Mazen Habash
President
Art Beleda
Vice President Eastern Canada
Ryan Dobson
Vice President Western Canada
George Costandi
Director – National Sales and Marketing
Shauna Hall
Branch Manager
Vladimir Chlistovsky
Operations Manager - GTA
Peter Hamilton
Manager - Atlantic Canada
Steve Klimpel
Operations Manager – Northern and Eastern Ontario/Atlantic Canada
Matthew Obach
Manager - Manitoba & Saskatchewan
Said Ismail
Operations Manager – Ancaster
Adam Lohonyai
Structural Forensics Practice Lead
